Top wines | Diwali 2025 Edition

This post was the result of a chat on a WhatsApp group of wine lovers that I’m a part of. We were all discussing what we were quaffing on these days which got me thinking: if I were to host a Diwali party or attend one (ha!), what wine I serve or gift? Here, then, is a completely subjective list that I think would rock any Diwali party bar this year.

1. Saint Cosme, Little James Basket Press (blanc), Cote Du Rhone An unusual but terrific blend of Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc. Tart, citrusy, crisp and very light. Rs 1700 onwards.

2. Saint Cosme, Little James Basket Press, (rouge), Cote Du Rhone : Medium-bodied with notes of plum, charcoal, pepper, this blend of Grenache and Gamay pairs well with food and is terrific to have by itself. Rs 1700 onwards.

   

3. Framingham Riesling, New Zealand — Very smooth, sweet but not overwhelmingly so, this beauty from down under will pair well with Asian food. Costs around Rs 3000 per bottle in Gurgaon. Alternatively, if this wine isn’t available in your city and you’re still on the lookout, I suggest the Weingut Nik Weis-St Urban-Hof Estate Riesling. It’s a tad sweeter and more intense than others because it’s made from old vines. Cost: Rs 2600-4200 per bottle

4. Brancaia Tre, Tuscany, Italy A terrific super Tuscan from Italy, this is a medium-bodied wine that’s blended with Sangiovese (70 percent) Cabernet Sauvignon (15 percent) and Merlot (15 percent) with very soft tannins. Rs 3500 onwards.

5. Tres Picos, Grenache, Spain Quite possibly, the smokiest and boldest wine I’ve had from Spain. At 14 percent ABV, this heavy hitter makes it clear from sip one that it is nothing but heavy and intense. Price: Rs 2600 onwards.

6. J’Noon White, Fratelli India - The best Indian white wine by a long shot. A feat made even more special because it is a union of two grape varieties — Chardonnay (80 percent) and Sauvignon Blanc (20 percent) — that are not usually blended together. The result is spectacularly buttery. Rs 2500 onwards

4. J’Noon Red, Fratelli India — top drawer, small batch wine that really pushes the boundaries of winemaking in India. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot/ Marcelan & Cabernet Franc, this full-bodied wine is full-bodied and packs in a lot of flavours. I’d suggest decanting it for at least an hour so that it opens up and can demonstrate its real character. Rs 3800-4500. I reviewed three different vintages of the J’Noon Red earlier this year. Watch here

   

5. Calalenta, Fantini, Italy: Because why should rosé wines not be part of the celebrations? This one is a Provence-style wine made from Merlot. It’s crisp, dry, a shade lighter than salmon pink but full of flavour. Rs 2400 onwards.

A few disclaimers though: first, all of these are wines that I’ve had over the last 10 months. Second, the price and availability will vary across cities due to different state taxes and levies. Nonetheless, prospective buyers should be able to fetch them under Rs 5000 per bottle in Delhi, Mumbai and maybe Bangalore as well. Third, I haven’t included champagne in the list because, sadly, they all cost more than Rs 5000 per bottle and I wanted to keep it as inclusive as possible.

What wines are you going to serve or gift this Diwali? Please leave your recommendations in the comments below; I’d love to hear them!

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